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External Speakers for K3

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Ramon Tristani-2

External Speakers for K3

Banned User

The K3 lacks matching external speakers offering better sound than the internal one. In the tradition of other leading manufacturers, Elecraft could even include a power supply in the enclosure (but I would be content with just a good sounding speaker). Any hope for this?

Ramón Tristani, KP4GE
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David Christ

Re: External Speakers for K3

I agree with those who say it is in our and Elecreft's best interest for them to concentrate on what they do best and let others excel in their own specialty. Speakers and power supplies are in that category. Probably not a lot of Return On Investment in designing speakers. Not a lot of gain for amateurs either. As this is one of the recurring threads you can find plenty of good suggestions in the archives.

David K0LUM

On Apr 22, 2013, at 12:40 PM, Ramon Tristani wrote:

> The K3 lacks matching external speakers offering better sound than the internal one. In the tradition of other leading manufacturers, Elecraft could even include a power supply in the enclosure (but I would be content with just a good sounding speaker). Any hope for this?
>
>
> Ramón Tristani, KP4GE
> [hidden email]
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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K2CIA

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by Ramon Tristani-2

I second that motion! Would certainly be a best seller with a power supply two speakers to match the line up.............what a great idea, Ramon! Tom K2CIA.

________________________________
From: Ramon Tristani <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 1:40 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] External Speakers for K3

The K3 lacks matching external speakers offering better sound than the internal one. In the tradition of other leading manufacturers, Elecraft could even include a power supply in the enclosure (but I would be content with just a good sounding speaker). Any hope for this?

Ramón Tristani, KP4GE
[hidden email]

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w7ij

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by Ramon Tristani-2

Elecraft need not get into the business of designing power supplies and
speakers, but if they would use off the shelf speakers and power supplies
and fit them into a matching cabinet, it would be a seller!

Bill, w7ij

-----Original Message-----
From: Ramon Tristani [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 10:41 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] External Speakers for K3

The K3 lacks matching external speakers offering better sound than the
internal one. In the tradition of other leading manufacturers, Elecraft
could even include a power supply in the enclosure (but I would be content
with just a good sounding speaker). Any hope for this?

Ramón Tristani, KP4GE
[hidden email]

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Bill Steffey NY9H

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by K2CIA

OK no speaker,,,, since they do not make speakers,,,\
but they could sell an enclosure , P3 form factor....
grille punched out with internal "standard" mounting studs...
for whatever that size hole could reasonably accommodate....
leaving the rest of the space for us to chop up for whatever we want./...

one could even make a subframe to take smaller speakers than the main
hole would permit....... stuff you sdr in the back of your second speaker...
Speakers do have better intelligibility when they are facing you ....

I can do speakers, I cannot due a matching enclosure properly,.,,,

bill ny9h/3

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Gustavo Villada

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by K2CIA

or they just can sell enclosures like K2 so we do our home brew speaker and
power sources :)
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Ian Reeve

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by K2CIA

I agree totally with Bill,

There are lots of speakers out there and it is the lack of a suitable matching K3 line case that is the issue. A pre-punched case with standard positioned mounting holes would be a good addition to the line up, for purchasers to add their own speaker to. As Bill says, intelligibility is best from forward facing speakers and a good quality 6" diameter speaker would sound great. Just make sure that a stereo jack is used for the rear jack socket...

I am good at speakers but do not have the capability to make a decent matching enclosure.

Lets sow the seeds at Elecraft for a well finished matching enclosure for users to add in a standard speaker of their choice.

Ian Reeve MØIDR

> Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:39:32 -0400
> To: [hidden email]
> From: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] External Speakers for K3
>
> OK no speaker,,,, since they do not make speakers,,,\
> but they could sell an enclosure , P3 form factor....
> grille punched out with internal "standard" mounting studs...
> for whatever that size hole could reasonably accommodate....
> leaving the rest of the space for us to chop up for whatever we want./...
>
> one could even make a subframe to take smaller speakers than the main
> hole would permit....... stuff you sdr in the back of your second speaker...
> Speakers do have better intelligibility when they are facing you ....
>
> I can do speakers, I cannot due a matching enclosure properly,.,,,
>
> bill ny9h/3
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Arie Kleingeld PA3A-2

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by Ramon Tristani-2

No need for an Elecraft speaker here.

Why talk about one speaker by the way?
I use a set of computer stereo speakers. I need two speakers for my K3
(main RX and sub RX in nice stereo).
The sound is good en more than adequate. For the price I got those,
Elecraft can never compete with that. And I gues they won't.

73
Arie PA3A

Op 22-4-2013 19:40, Ramon Tristani schreef:
> The K3 lacks matching external speakers offering better sound than the internal one. In the tradition of other leading manufacturers, Elecraft could even include a power supply in the enclosure (but I would be content with just a good sounding speaker). Any hope for this?
>
>

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Mel

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by Ian Reeve

I would prefer them to offer a pre-punched cover toe the P3!!!

Mel, K6KBE

________________________________
From: Ian Reeve <[hidden email]>
To: bill steffey NY9H <[hidden email]>; "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 12:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] External Speakers for K3

I agree totally with Bill,

There are lots of speakers out there and it is the lack of a suitable matching K3 line case that is the issue. A pre-punched case with standard positioned mounting holes would be a good addition to the line up, for purchasers to add their own speaker to. As Bill says, intelligibility is best from forward facing speakers and a good quality 6" diameter speaker would sound great. Just make sure that a stereo jack is used for the rear jack socket...

I am good at speakers but do not have the capability to make a decent matching enclosure.

Lets sow the seeds at Elecraft for a well finished matching enclosure for users to add in a standard speaker of their choice.

Ian Reeve MØIDR

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by Ian Reeve

On 4/22/2013 3:21 PM, Ian Reeve wrote:
> As Bill says, intelligibility is best from forward facing speakers
> and a good quality 6" diameter speaker would sound great. Just make
> sure that a stereo jack is used for the rear jack socket...

Given the size of the P3 case I suspect one would be limited to a 3"
or 3.5" (round) speaker or a 3 x 5" oval one. The interior of the
P3 front panel is slightly less than 4" x 6" and will not accommodate
either a 6" (round) speaker or 4 x 6" (oval).

73,

... Joe, W4TV
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N0AZZ

Re: External Speakers for K3

There are plenty of speakers to choose from on the market and do not cost
that much either. As far as power supplies I would rather use my own a large
one to power many different things in the shack I use 2 Astron 70 amp
supplies a VS and a RS-70M.

73,
Fred/N0AZZ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 2:36 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] External Speakers for K3

On 4/22/2013 3:21 PM, Ian Reeve wrote:
> As Bill says, intelligibility is best from forward facing speakers and
> a good quality 6" diameter speaker would sound great. Just make sure
> that a stereo jack is used for the rear jack socket...

Given the size of the P3 case I suspect one would be limited to a 3"
or 3.5" (round) speaker or a 3 x 5" oval one. The interior of the
P3 front panel is slightly less than 4" x 6" and will not accommodate either
a 6" (round) speaker or 4 x 6" (oval).

73,

... Joe, W4TV
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N5GE

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by Ramon Tristani-2

I use a pair of 4.25" square Realistic, AKA Radio Shack,
Communication Speakers that are wired up to a stereo plug.

Works great!

I'd rather Elecraft spend their design and development time on
something like point and click tuning for the SVGA adapter of the P3.

73,
Tom
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member

On Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:40:35 -0400, Ramon Tristani
<[hidden email]> wrote:

>The K3 lacks matching external speakers offering better sound than the internal one. In the tradition of other leading manufacturers, Elecraft could even include a power supply in the enclosure (but I would be content with just a good sounding speaker). Any hope for this?
>
>
>Ramón Tristani, KP4GE
>[hidden email]
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Amateur Radio Operator N5GE

George Dubovsky

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by N0AZZ

I don't use speakers a lot, but the best sounding ones I have ever used
were the ones designed for land mobile radio in-car use. The GE Mastr II
and the GE/Ericsson Delta speakers were designed to be rugged and were
tailored for "communications" audio. I'm sure Motorola had equivalents, but
I'm not all that familiar with their product line. The speakers are
generally found under tables at hamfests for a few bucks. The black/gray
Delta speakers even match the Elecraft line... ;-)

73,

geo - n4ua

On Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 4:34 PM, Fred Smith <[hidden email]> wrote:

> There are plenty of speakers to choose from on the market and do not cost
> that much either. As far as power supplies I would rather use my own a
> large
> one to power many different things in the shack I use 2 Astron 70 amp
> supplies a VS and a RS-70M.
>
> 73,
> Fred/N0AZZ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV
> Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 2:36 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] External Speakers for K3
>
>
>
> On 4/22/2013 3:21 PM, Ian Reeve wrote:
> > As Bill says, intelligibility is best from forward facing speakers and
> > a good quality 6" diameter speaker would sound great. Just make sure
> > that a stereo jack is used for the rear jack socket...
>
> Given the size of the P3 case I suspect one would be limited to a 3"
> or 3.5" (round) speaker or a 3 x 5" oval one. The interior of the
> P3 front panel is slightly less than 4" x 6" and will not accommodate
> either
> a 6" (round) speaker or 4 x 6" (oval).
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2012.0.2241 / Virus Database: 3162/5763 - Release Date: 04/21/13
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

Jim Low man

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by Arie Kleingeld PA3A-2

If you search the archives for this list, either Wayne or Eric use and
recommend the "Chill Pill" speakers. They are intended for use with iPods.
I can't see Elecraft wasting their development time on a product that is
widely available from many other manufacturers, and at a range of costs.

I could see a matching enclosure for a speaker and power supply, like
Drake did with the MS-4 and AC-4.

73 de Jim - AD6CW

On 4/22/2013 12:24 PM, Arie Kleingeld PA3A wrote:

> No need for an Elecraft speaker here.
>
> Why talk about one speaker by the way?
> I use a set of computer stereo speakers. I need two speakers for my
> K3 (main RX and sub RX in nice stereo).
> The sound is good en more than adequate. For the price I got those,
> Elecraft can never compete with that. And I gues they won't.
>
> 73
> Arie PA3A

Pete Lascell

Re: External Speakers for K3

In reply to this post by George Dubovsky

I too have used the 2-way radio speakers for more than 30 years and
originally did with my K3. But after going thru the junk stach again a
discovered I had a pair of amplified speakers (not cheap) used with Radio
Dispatch Consoles as SELECT and UN-SELECT audio channels. They contain ~ 6
watt audio amp and a substancial speaker, power by 12 volts. So I now have
plenty of audio and with the speakers spaced about 6 feet apart there is
noticable separation, and the AFX function is great when desired.

With the extra amplification and volume controls I can set the K3 volume
control for hot earphone level, yet turn down the external speaker levels.

I know it is overkill, but need to put the junk in use, or give it away :-)

Pete W4WWQ

----- Original Message -----
From: "George Dubovsky" <[hidden email]>
To: "Fred Smith" <[hidden email]>
Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 5:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] External Speakers for K3

>I don't use speakers a lot, but the best sounding ones I have ever used
> were the ones designed for land mobile radio in-car use. The GE Mastr II
> and the GE/Ericsson Delta speakers were designed to be rugged and were
> tailored for "communications" audio. I'm sure Motorola had equivalents,
> but
> I'm not all that familiar with their product line. The speakers are
> generally found under tables at hamfests for a few bucks. The black/gray
> Delta speakers even match the Elecraft line... ;-)
>
> 73,
>
> geo - n4ua
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 4:34 PM, Fred Smith <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> There are plenty of speakers to choose from on the market and do not cost
>> that much either. As far as power supplies I would rather use my own a
>> large
>> one to power many different things in the shack I use 2 Astron 70 amp
>> supplies a VS and a RS-70M.
>>
>> 73,
>> Fred/N0AZZ
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email]
>> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV
>> Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 2:36 PM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] External Speakers for K3
>>
>>
>>
>> On 4/22/2013 3:21 PM, Ian Reeve wrote:
>> > As Bill says, intelligibility is best from forward facing speakers and
>> > a good quality 6" diameter speaker would sound great. Just make sure
>> > that a stereo jack is used for the rear jack socket...
>>
>> Given the size of the P3 case I suspect one would be limited to a 3"
>> or 3.5" (round) speaker or a 3 x 5" oval one. The interior of the
>> P3 front panel is slightly less than 4" x 6" and will not accommodate
>> either
>> a 6" (round) speaker or 4 x 6" (oval).
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ... Joe, W4TV
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 2012.0.2241 / Virus Database: 3162/5763 - Release Date: 04/21/13

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: External Speakers for K3

I was fortunate to find a pair of Radio Shack Optimus speakers (5 inch
black cube) at a 2nd hand store for $5. They work great with my K3.
You may be able to find something similar if you shop around a bit.
These are non-amplified speakers and work quite well, no worries about
RF feedback or other problems that sometimes occur with amplified
varieties, and the K3 has more than adequate audio to drive these high
efficiency speakers.

Since the K3 tailors the audio response, there is not really a need for
"communications" speakers - the RX EQ will shape the audio to your
desires, so "full range" speakers will work great with the K3. For those
who do SWLing, the full range speakers may be better for those users
than communications speakers.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/22/2013 7:36 PM, Pete Lascell wrote:

> I too have used the 2-way radio speakers for more than 30 years and
> originally did with my K3. But after going thru the junk stach again
> a discovered I had a pair of amplified speakers (not cheap) used with
> Radio Dispatch Consoles as SELECT and UN-SELECT audio channels. They
> contain ~ 6 watt audio amp and a substancial speaker, power by 12
> volts. So I now have plenty of audio and with the speakers spaced
> about 6 feet apart there is noticable separation, and the AFX function
> is great when desired.
>
> With the extra amplification and volume controls I can set the K3
> volume control for hot earphone level, yet turn down the external
> speaker levels.